Gathering for Open Government

SOURCE: Karin Megdigovich (karinmedigo@yahoo.com)
SUBHEAD: A Demonstration for open county government on Kauai on August 11 in Nawiliwili.

  
Image above: Kauai County Council Chamber in Nawiliwili. Photo and editing by Juan Wilson.  

By Karin Megdigovich on 9 August 2010 for Island Breath -

Are you are interested in supporting the facilitation of open government proposed in the resolution brought forward by Tim Bynum but not voted on? (It was deferred until December -after the election). 
 There will be a gathering in front of the County Council meeting place right before the next session begins with a banner that reads: Open Government Now. We are asking for as many supporters as possible to be present to encourage prompt passage. The press will be invited. 
Where: 
Come out to the front of the current County Council chamber in Nawiliwili Harbor at the temporary Council at the old Hale Kauai facility.

  

WHAT:
County Council Resolution Gathering  

WHEN: Wednesday August 11th, @ 8:30am  

WHERE:
County Council chamber in Nawiliwili Harbor at the temporary Council at the old Hale Kauai facility.

  

CONTACT:
Call Linda Harmon for more details (808) 335-2737  

ABOUT:
The below text is the introduced resolution

Resolution No. 2010- COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY OF KAUA'I 
RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY FOR FACILITATING OPEN GOVERNANCE AND INTERNET ACCESS TO PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

 
WHEREAS, in a democracy, the people are vested with the ultimate decision making power and an informed, aware and engaged electorate is an important
component of good governance; and

WHEREAS, the Hawai'i State Legislature, when it passed the Sunshine Law,
expressly declared "it is the policy of this State that the formation and conduct of public policy - the discussions, deliberations, decisions, and action of government
agencies - shall be conducted as openly as possible"; and


WHEREAS, the Hawai'i State Legislature also enacted the Uniform
Information Practices Act mandating that all government records be open to public
inspection unless access is specifically restricted or closed by law; and


WHEREAS, the Council of the County of Kaua'i (hereinafter "the County")
recognizes the value of partnership and collaboration with an informed public; and


WHEREAS, the internet has become the most reasonable, customary, and
efficient method to access information; and


WHEREAS, the County has invested in a web portal that facilitates easy
 public access to public information; and 


WHEREAS, the County has entered into a third party contract to produce
live streaming video and an archive of government meetings, including an interface
that facilitates easy access to public meetings and important records online,
creating an unprecedented level of openness and improved access for persons with
disabilities; and


WHEREAS, implementing the tools now available to the County will boost
staff efficiency and control costs; now, therefore,


BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I,
STATE OF HAWAI'I, that it is our policy to provide an exemplary level of openness, public participation in government, and internet access to public documents.


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council will fully implement the
capabilities made available by the investment in the technologies and tools which
has been made by the citizens of Kaua'i.
 BE IT

FURTHER RESOLVED, that key Council documents shall be posted
on the Council website and be searchable by text. Documents shall include, but not
be limited to: Council and Committee Meeting agendas with related attachments, committee reports, the full text of introduced bills and resolutions, draft bills and resolutions subsequent to amendment, final version of bills and resolutions adopted by the Council, and minutes of Council and Committee meetings.

 
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the Mayor, the Director of Finance, the County's Information Technology Manager
and the County Clerk.

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